The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, has urged Multichoice Ghana to implement a 30% reduction in prices to address growing public dissatisfaction with DSTV subscription rates, following the appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi over the past five months.
During a meeting on Friday in Accra with a DSTV delegation led by the Group Executive for Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, the Minister emphasised the government’s mandate to respond to the concerns of Ghanaians.
He stated that many subscribers have expressed frustration over high prices and outdated content offerings, particularly outside of Premier League football.
Despite the cedi’s marked improvement, Mr. George noted that DSTV has not adjusted its pricing accordingly. He mentioned that a direct price cut would better serve consumers than temporary promotional packages that have been introduced by the company.
“I am soliciting a 30% price reduction to match the cedi’s appreciation and pass on economic benefits to consumers,” he said.
To address the concerns, the Minister has given Multichoice Ghana until July 21 to formally respond to this request, anticipating a concrete proposal that would allow for further discussions by the end of the month.
Touching on the issues of piracy and regulatory compliance, the Minister expressed concern about the growing challenge of cross-border piracy, particularly the use of unauthorized DSTV boxes from other countries.
He noted that such practices harm local service providers and government revenue.
Mr. George also advocated for the local content component, which he indicated would create jobs and increase revenue for Ghanaian film producers.
“The government is working on a new broadcasting bill that will gradually raise local content requirements across all platforms,” he said, stressing the importance of supporting local production houses and job creation through these reforms.
Dr. Modimoeng acknowledged the government’s concerns and expressed a commitment to balancing public interest with business sustainability.
The DSTV team agreed to provide feedback by the designated date and reiterated their dedication to combating piracy and offering regular updates on their progress.
